Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer continues to strengthen its Italian platform, further expanding the Italy Banking & Finance practice under the leadership of Emanuela Da Rin with the addition of a structured finance team.
Following the arrival in November 2025 of Emanuela Da Rin, together with Federico Cocito, of counsel, senior associates Nicoletta Di Bari and Alessandro Buiani, and junior associate Martina Scicolone, the Italy Banking & Finance practice continues its targeted growth with the arrival of two lawyers with over ten years' experience in securitisation and structured finance: senior associate Leonardo Bafunno and associate Paolo Bossini.
These appointments are part of the firm's broader strategy to consolidate and progressively expand its transactional capabilities in Italy across all areas of commercial and financial law, with a particular focus on complex and structured finance mandates.
Leonardo Bafunno brings extensive experience in structured finance transactions, including securitisations across multiple asset classes, financing transactions, Italian UTP and NPL portfolio disposals, as well as investments in UTP exposures through closed-ended alternative investment funds.
Paolo Bossini advises clients on securitisation transactions, including private, real estate and synthetic structures, as well as transactions involving trade receivables.
With these hires, the Italy Banking & Finance practice of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer further enhances its ability to advise financial institutions, investors and market participants on complex, often cross-border transactions, integrating deep local expertise within the firm's global Banking & Finance platform.
Emanuela Da Rin, partner and head of the Italy Banking & Finance practice, commented:
"The arrival of Leonardo and Paolo further strengthens the investment Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is making in its Banking & Finance practice in Italy, in close alignment with our global strategy. Enhancing our structured finance capabilities is a key pillar of our growth plan and allows us to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of clients involved in complex and frequently cross-border transactions."
In the final months of 2025, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer also welcomed Lorenzo Fusco, of counsel, with a mandate to establish and lead the new Employment practice in Italy.